SPECIAL REPORT — Ontario will ease retail restrictions sooner rather than later if the number of COVID-19 cases continues to fall, Premier Doug Ford says. “It gives us the confidence that we’re getting close to opening parks, that we’re getting close to opening retail for curbside pickup,” he told a press conference this week. Dan Kelly, president of the Canadian Federation of Business, says big boxes have an unfair advantage under the province’s current rules because they can remain open as grocers while also selling non-essential items. “The consequence is massive business closures” if independents cannot reopen soon, he warns.
Meanwhile, Quebec Premier François Legault has pushed back the timetable for retail openings in Montreal amid concerns the region is struggling to flatten the curve. Stores with direct entrances from streets were slated to reopen on May 11 but will now have to wait until May 18. Outside of Greater Montreal, retail stores were permitted to reopen yesterday.
